Leguizamo’s ‘Fugly’ lands distribution via 108 Media, Paladin

Comedy slated for Q3 release in North America

108 Media and Paladin have acquired North American distribution rights to John Leguizamo’s autobiographical comedy “Fugly” with plans for a third-quarter release.

108 Media is also handling foreign sales at the European Film Market in Berlin.

“Fugly” is a fictionalized rendering of Leguizamo’s one-man show “Ghetto Klown” with Leguizamo portraying Jesse Sanchez, a Latino comic who has a near-death experience that forces him to revisit his personal and professional highs and lows.

The film is directed by Alfredo De Villa, whose credits include “Washington Heights” and “Nothing Like the Holidays,” and stars Rosie Perez, Radha Mitchell, Griffin Dunne, Yul Vasquez, Tomas Milian and Ally Sheedy.

“This is my first foray into screenwriting and in trying to upend a format by making an ‘anti-romantic comedy,’ ” Leguizamo said. “We went very sexual, very aggressive and exposed some of my life through the character of Jesse.”

The deal on “Fugly” was negotiated by Nathaniel Warsh for 108 Media with Ron Gell of the G-Machine, Straw Wiseman of Marquee Prods. and Jonathan Gray on behalf of the filmmakers.

108 Media and Paladin recently acquired North American distribution rights to Shan Khan’s British thriller “Honour” and “Valley of the Saints.” 108 Media is handling worldwide sales on both titles at Berlin.